TWO BRANCHES ARE WELCOME Editor’s introduction

By Claire Irons, Publicity Officer for Chelmsford distribution of Thirsty Times to pubs in the branch & Mid-Essex CAMRA areas, out on trips and to festivals.

Thirsty Times is spilling over to spread the word Contact details for campaigning by providing articles of interest MAD: Chris Harvey 07743 675 622 / to those who enjoy pubs, people and especially [email protected] real ale and cider. Most people join CAMRA for NWE: Chris Rouse 07824 726108 / the camaraderie; free entry to beer festivals; [email protected] Wetherspoons vouchers and to drink beer and or cider with like-minded people. So join in the fun See the inside the back page for Chelmsford and and make new friends! Mid-Essex (CME) branch contacts and advertising contact details. Our neighbouring branches want a piece of the action and so we welcome on board our friends Thank you on behalf of the CME branch to Podge from Maldon & Dengie (MAD) and North West as editor and Bryan Grimshaw for proof reading Essex (NWE) branches of CAMRA. We shall Thirsty Times issues 1 to 17. have their Pub News, Social & Campaigning Diary and articles as well as extending the Brewery I have enjoyed being editor for this issue (TT18) News section. Therefore we have increased from and am happy to have Tony Vernon take on the 5,000 to 6,000 copies of Thirsty Times quarterly. role as editor for future issues, and I will continue Of course, volunteers are required to help with to proof read the magazine. North West Essex CAMRA Branch By Chris Rouse

The North West Essex branch of CAMRA covers the area of Essex north of the A120 and west of the old A131, including Saffron Walden, Stansted Mountfitchet, Great Dunmow, Great Yeldham, and the north west of Braintree, with Thaxted in the centre.

We’re a small branch in terms of members, but large in terms of area – which is not the ideal situation. However, we do what we can, and hope you can play your part, even in a very small way. Photo: Chris Rouse

As more and more pubs close, it’s important that Club of the Year is The Wethersfield Village Hall we all do something to at least halt the decline, Club, Old Mill Chase, Wethersfield, CM7 4EB. or better still, reverse it. The best way is to visit There will be a presentation on Monday 4 July. pubs, not just your local, but ones further afield, especially ones you’ve not been to before. The Wethersfield Club is a friendly social club popular with locals and visiting teams. CAMRA North West Essex Pub of the Year members are welcome as guests. It is home and Club of the Year to local darts, pool, snooker, crib, and chess The North West Essex Branch Pub of the Year clubs. The club stages a number of social events 2016 is The Fox & Hounds, 3 Chapel Street, including live music throughout the year. A real Steeple Bumpstead CB9 7DQ. A presentation centre of village life, children of all ages are took place (pictured) on Tuesday 19 April. Our welcome with responsible adults. 2 Thirsty Times ADDITIONS TO THIRSTY TIMES Maldon & Dengie CAMRA: ‘Spoilt for Choice’?

By Chris Harvey & Sons’ pubs in our area, as a large number of the Chelmsford-based company’s hostelries serve When I first got involved with the Maldon & Dengie a good range of ales from local breweries and Branch of CAMRA, shortly after I moved back to further afield. Essex after 25 years’ absence, I was a little taken aback by the rather bold statement on the branch Here are some of the highlights in our area as far logo, which says ‘Spoilt for Choice’. Sounds as pubs are concerned... almost conceited, doesn’t it? Well, it didn’t take me long to realise that it is actually a very appropriate Maldon and Dengie CAMRA’s Pub of the Year slogan for the area. We have plenty to be proud of is the Compasses in Great Totham. This 18th- in our little corner of Essex when it comes to real century roadside inn, on the B1022 between ale, real cider and pubs. Tiptree and Maldon, has faced a very uncertain future in recent times, with the current owner trying In the past 10 years, two of our local breweries (and fortunately failing to date) to get planning (Crouch Vale in South Woodham Ferrers with permission to build houses on the car park. The Brewers Gold and Mighty Oak in Maldon with current licensees, Alex and Hayley, are passionate Oscar Wilde) have won the coveted CAMRA about their beer and cider, and the great range on Supreme Champion Beer of Britain award no offer amply demonstrates this. less than three times, beating off incredibly stiff competition from nearly The Carpenters’ Arms in Gate 1,000 British breweries. The current licensees, Street, Maldon is our Branch The other two breweries Alex and Hayley, are Cider Pub of the Year, and also in our area (Wibblers passionate about their Runner-up in the Essex Cider and the Maldon Brewing Pub of the Year competition. It Company) regularly win beer and cider is a back-street gem, which has regional and national‘ been a pub since 1847. Its low awards for their fine ales. Only three months ago, beams and warm welcoming atmosphere make Wibblers were awarded a Gold Medal at the this community pub more country than town, with CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival for their a wide range of well-kept real ales and ciders from superb speciality stout, Crafty Stoat. Uniquely in around the UK and the local breweries. Essex, all of our breweries have opened tap rooms during the past year, where it is possible to sample The Chequers at Goldhanger is a characterful the very best beers each of them offer. 15th-century village inn with an enviable reputation for fine food and ales. The Swan in Little Totham Elsewhere in this magazine, there’s an article is a charming village local, serving a very good about the Crouch Valley Rail Ale Trail which we range of beers and home-cooked food. The are developing in collaboration with the Maldon Hurdlemakers Arms in Woodham Mortimer, Tourist Information Centre, on which you can visit the Bell at Purleigh and the Prince of Wales in two of these brewery taps by train. Stow Maries are locally renowned for their superb food and excellent beers. The King’s Head in And then there are our pubs. Two have been Tollesbury, the Norton in Cold Norton, the crowned CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year, most Station Arms in Southminster, and the Queen’s recently the Swan in Little Totham in 2005. The Head and New Welcome Sailor in Burnham-on- area boasts a wonderful variety of public houses. Crouch are all superb traditional community locals Some of them focus on serving superb locally- worth seeking out for their fine range of beers and sourced food in attractive surroundings, while warm welcomes. others are comfortable locals which are at the centre of community life. So, as you can see, we really are ‘Spoilt for Choice’! Why not pay us a visit soon to find out We are very fortunate to have nearly half of Gray for yourself? Summer 2016 3 S&C - A5 Generic Ad:Layout 1 27/05/2016 12:37 Page 1

WINE & KITCHEN AT THE NORTON The village Boris and Nora would like to Serious preparations are underway for our first ever welcome you to the brand beer festival that will take place over the weekend new relaunched bar and of the 19th August. As well as top beers and ciders, restaurant Wine & Kitchen at we’ll be having a blazing barbeque, live music for a pub is alive The Norton in the village of festival vibe and free drinks for the little ones. Cold Norton for a new and unique experience. If you’re after something other than beer, we’re and well... always happy to talk you through our unique and M E E T | E AT | D R I N K We are passionate about local, top quality produce extensive spirits selection and delicious hand-crafted Set in beautiful countryside the and that’s why we have personally sourced every wines. Look out on our website or facebook page for Square and Compasses is ingredient you’ll find on your plate. Expect an upcoming events such as Meet the Brewer evenings, innovative and evolving menu according to the wine tastings and live music. believed to date from about 1652. seasons. If you fancy a bite on the go you’ll find just Inside, the cosy atmosphere and what you need on our bar snack menu available all Beer garden for the famous British summer, free various styles of eclectic furniture day including our now famous homemade crisps. parking, child friendly and dog treats provided free of charge for your four legged friends. and antiques ensures your comfort Beer is a serious business for us. Boris the beer Open Tuesday to Sunday noon til late. in which to enjoy a drink or two and boss carefully looks after our ever changing selection sourced from the good people at local breweries Book now on 01621 826948 or visit our website maybe something to eat, in the such as Mighty Oak, Wibblers and Farmers Ales with www.wineandkitchen.co.uk company of family and friends. the occasional cask from further afield. Boris is also planning on making his own brew shortly so keep • New weekday lunch offer: buy a burger and get a Lovingly restored this old public your eyes on the pumps! free pint on us! (Ts & Cs apply of course!) house has been returned to its status as a major feature in the day to day life of the village. It’s a welcoming, friendly, traditional, countryside pub with character and excellent customer service.

• Cosy and inviting bar area • Noted for food • Locally sourced ingredients • Sunday roasts • Alfresco dining • Casked conditioned gravity fed local real ales • Private dining room • Interesting wine list

• Reassuringly traditional The Square and Compasses • Garden and car park Fuller Street, Essex CM3 2BB • Real fires Tel: 01245 361477 • Dogs, Cyclists, Walkers welcome Email: [email protected] • Muddy boot friendly Web: www.thesquareandcompasses.co.uk

4 Thirsty Times S&C - A5 Generic Ad:Layout 1 27/05/2016 12:37 Page 1

The village pub is alive and well... M E E T | E AT | D R I N K Set in beautiful countryside the Square and Compasses is believed to date from about 1652. Inside, the cosy atmosphere and various styles of eclectic furniture and antiques ensures your comfort in which to enjoy a drink or two and maybe something to eat, in the company of family and friends.

Lovingly restored this old public house has been returned to its status as a major feature in the day to day life of the village. It’s a welcoming, friendly, traditional, countryside pub with character and excellent customer service.

• Cosy and inviting bar area • Noted for food • Locally sourced ingredients • Sunday roasts • Alfresco dining • Casked conditioned gravity fed local real ales • Private dining room • Interesting wine list

• Reassuringly traditional The Square and Compasses • Garden and car park Fuller Street, Essex CM3 2BB • Real fires Tel: 01245 361477 • Dogs, Cyclists, Walkers welcome Email: [email protected] • Muddy boot friendly Web: www.thesquareandcompasses.co.uk

Summer 2016 5 PUB NEWS

By Bryan Grimshaw I received an email from Peter at the Walnut Tree, Broads Green, which featured in Pub News in our Good news that the White Horse, Witham, which last issue. Peter writes “It appears that quite a few of is owned by Hawthorn Leisure and not GK as I your readers have misinterpreted the article on page indicated last issue, has reopened after what turned 5 of the 17th edition of the Thirsty Times concerning out to be a very short closure. ACV status and are under the impression that we are leaving the Walnut Tree and that the pub is being Also in Witham the Cherry Tree (Punch) has sold. Neither theory is correct. Sorry to disappoint reopened after a full redecoration inside and out with everyone but I’m staying put!” new lighting and furniture, at a total cost, we hear, of £342,000. We wish the new landlord, Deborah Very good to hear Peter and that should kill that McNerlin, well. rumour. ACV status only lasts for five years so I hope we’ll be renewing it several times before it’s needed. News of another pub closure – the Rifleman, Braintree (Greene King). No news of whether this The Ivory Peg, Chelmsford continues to grow its is temporary or permanent. Part of the site already range of local breweries and craft beers, and is now has planning permission for residential development. stocking Hop Cross (in bottles) from the ‘fantastic’ Bishop Nick brewery and also featuring some of their Now some updates on a few other of our closed draught beers. The management is keen to support pubs. We hear the Kings Arms, Broomfield is local breweries and currently works with Georges, going to be refurbished and run by a group which Saffron, Shalford, Brentwood, Nethergate, and already owns three pubs in the area. I won’t name Bishop Nick, as well as Adnams and Nelson Brewery the group in case it is a false rumour but if true this from neighbouring counties. It has also increased its will be good news for real ale drinkers and diners. draught craft range and now stocks Whitstable Bay Pale Ale, Eton Rifles and Adnams Ease Up IPA. Major building work is now under way at the Green Man, Howe Street, which was scheduled to The Ivory Peg is one of several pubs within easy reopen in early summer. This has slipped slightly to reach of the Essex Cricket ground; if you use the September, with the renovations estimated to cost River Gate it’s just across the park. They claim to around £1m. The new owners are brothers Chris be “the perfect stopping off point to grab a pint and & Jeff Galvin, who are both chefs. Chris is quoted something to eat before the match. Our average food as saying: “It won’t be a gastro pub, it will be a service times are currently just over seven minutes so magnificent, proper British pub, with a large dining don’t be off if it’s busy!” room added on.” The Wetherspoon Cider Festival is 8th–24thJuly, with The Cross Keys, White Notley is currently closed a great range of ciders and perries. They will be for some refurbishments prior to opening again in running a ‘vote for your favourite’ competition and June (maybe by the time you read this). Lois and a raffle with all proceeds going to their supported Gary will be running the Keys for the new owners. charity Clic Sargent. Looking further ahead they will Having passed various exams and courses for the be hosting Pre-V events to get you into the festival trade they are keen to provide well-kept real ales as spirit; look out for these on their Facebook page. well as a good range of wines. Another Wetherspoon pub, The Picture Palace, They and the new owners are determined to provide Braintree is also supporting local breweries strongly the village with a new hub. They intend to open the and has recently agreed a deal with Bishop Nick, its pub during the day from 10am to serve ‘coffee and most local brewery at 800 metres away, to always cakes’ and try to regain some of the village spirit that have one of their beers on. has been lost over the last couple of years. Lois says: “On the run up to the opening we intend to hold a You’ll have to be quick to catch this offer but during couple of open weekends so that people can pop the Braintree Beer Festival they will be giving a 20% in and have a look at the new plans and see what’s discount on food to CAMRA members. As well as happening. Exciting times ahead.” the company’s national cider festival in July they 6 Thirsty Times PUB NEWS

children’s charity whose sole aim is to make dreams come true for seriously or terminally ill children. A number of customers and our bar manager Bryony undertook the Walk for Life in aid of Farleigh Hospice in May. May also saw the first Rock and Roll Bingo, a new concept in bingo, no numbers just great music from the 60s 70s 80s and 90s – listen and shout ‘Rock and Roll’ for a line or full house; this could become a regular event!

“We have started a few new drink ideas. Alongside our regular guest ales we now have guest German lagers, and have started ‘Sparkling Saturdays’ with a bottle of Prosecco for £12 between 7pm and 9pm on Saturdays.”

Look out also for their new offer – ‘Party in the Pub’; they provide a buffet or sit-down meal menu, free room hire and free juke box – details coming soon.

The management team of the Horse and Groom, Writtle, decided to tackle this year’s Adrenaline Rush 5km obstacle course in Queen Elizabeth’s Park, Stratford to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The team has been raising money for the past five months to reach their £1,000 target. The event took place on Saturday 21st May and all managers completed the course without any injuries.

ADRENALINE RUSH: The team at Tom, General Manager, writes: “The grand total The Horse & Groom, Writtle raised was over £1,350 but this could not have been done without the massive help from the family of the will be running their own local beer festival during late Mr Alan Jones of Melbourne, who held his wake August. Billy, the manager and a real ale enthusiast, at The Horse and Groom in April and asked people is also hoping to host some meet the brewer days to donate to the cause rather than buy flowers; they and possibly arrange a brewery tour. Look out too for raised £400. My team and I would like to thank a monthly quiz night starting soon. everyone who has donated and sponsored us this year, we look forward to a new challenge next year.” I’ve said before that there’s always loads going on The Horse and Groom is part of the Greene King at the Endeavour, Chelmsford and this spring estate that has signed up to another three-year is no exception. The pub is in the middle of being partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support after a redecorated on the outside. All started smoothly with successful two-year partnership raising more than the erection of scaffolding and the top of the pub £2million. changing to a nice bright cream, with grey and white woodwork. Then it was found that the downstairs Well done to all the pubs mentioned. Proof, if proof windows and doors had not survived as well as the were needed, that a pub (or restaurant – read on) rest of this lovely old building (Jacqui’s words). “New can be an important focus for charity fundraising. doors and windows are now on order; so please don’t think we are closed or falling down!” Ah, it’s that time of year when Morris Dancers emerge to entertain us and try to drink our pubs dry! “We have recently had a great race night where we Billericay Morris Dancers will be at the Rodney, Little raised £393 for ‘Dreams come true’ a wonderful Baddow on Thursday 16th June at 7.45pm, followed Summer 2016 7 PUB NEWS by the Chelmsford side on Wednesday 27th July, beers from the SN range such as India Pale Ale 7.45pm. “Stay and listen to them play their music and Double Stout joining them. If you’re looking for after the dancing,” says Lynne. She adds: “Flying off something a little different you could try a six course the pump at the moment is Flat Tyre by Westons taster menu from Head Chef Stephen Bass on (cider with rhubarb). People can’t get enough.” Friday 17th June from 7pm.

An early announcement of their beer festival which Or join them on Sunday 28th August from 7.30pm for runs from 7pm on Friday 12th August till 8pm on a Cocktail and Canapes Evening. Amy writes: “This is Sunday 14th August. Further details of events on their in memory of my friend Charlotte who unfortunately website or Facebook page, or pick up the phone. passed away just over a year ago; she went to sleep and never woke up. Charlotte’s friends and family Don’t forget WhatPub for up-to-date contact have started fundraising for CRY (Cardiac Risk in information for all our pubs. the Young) in her memory, to raise money to pay for screening in our area and to try and raise awareness. Some readers will remember the William Boosey, Sometimes an individual like Charlotte may have which has now become the William B, Hatfield a cardiac abnormality without any symptoms. Peverel. This is one of the Blue Group of restaurants; Screening with ECG is aimed at identifying people the Riverside in Chelmsford is another. Although now with these conditions. The price, £20, covers a advertising as a restaurant people are welcome to cocktail, evening canapes and a charity donation to call in for a drink during less busy times (Monday- CRY with all proceeds going to the Charlotte Adams Thursday) and maybe relax in their garden in the Memorial Fund.” summer. You will find Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Whitstable Bay Pale Ale on at all times, with other Good luck Amy.

8 Thirsty Times THE DISCOVERY: Better late than never

By Victor Savant fermentation, bottom fermentation.” “Ah! So that’s it!” I said just as confidently. Pause. o, how did it begin? Some 10 years ago... “What’s that mean?” I, retired American long-time resident in Germany, was visiting a close friend in Essex The explanation began and part of my world changed S when his work colleague suggested one forever, a pretty big part if you consider what a role spring Saturday afternoon we join a group visiting food and drink play in our daily existence. And though a beer festival at a village pub a pleasant 45-minute I now understand something of the theory and facts walk distant. For the footsore, the weak, the weary of brewing, the real answer to my question is given or the woozy there was even a regular bus service by the palate, the eyes, the nose. back home. Great. Sounds entertaining. Fun. What’s a beer festival? Let’s do it. It was but a few weeks later that I joined CAMRA, and a life-changing hobby – the quest for quality, skill, Now, I live in Munich, the city many consider the inventiveness, even a bit of fantasy in the creation of capital of beer in the land even more people regard mankind’s oldest manufactured beverage, became a as the country of beer. I know German beers. They’re big part of my life. good: high quality, pure, consistently unchanging year to year, always true to type, brewed by companies And this world of good taste, manifest through the with lots of experience, tradition, seriousness. And integrity of craftsmen and people who care, has rules. Always the same. The beers of my maturity. flowered into the conviviality of nice pubs and nice people, the joy of beer festivals, altogether the But stepping back more years... opportunity to participate in a deep and important cultural tradition. Very happy to be here. Born and raised in San Francisco, the beers I knew as a child, quaffed by my father and older brothers, remain in my memory not as tastes but only as names, and more specifically as the musical jingles from their adverts: “Burgermeister! A Truly Fine Pale Ale!” or “Go lively. Get lucky. Lucky Lager!” I remember the ads writ large on billboards, the trivial detail filling childhood memory.

But these two typical adman slogans left something in my consciousness of greater significance than their musical jingles or even the taste of the beers themselves (my drink at the time was chocolate milk.)

They planted two words in my vocabulary, unexplained, only vaguely understood as having something to do with beer, two words which lay dormant for five decades until that sunny afternoon here in Essex visiting my first beer festival in a tent behind a small-town pub looking at 20 (Wow! 20!) different casks of beer lined up, with odd, often humourous names, when I dared to ask one of the colleagues who seemed especially knowledgeable the slightly embarrassingly naïve question, “What’s the difference between ‘ale’ and ‘lager’?” The confident answer came back immediately: “Top Summer 2016 9 WINTER BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL

By Paul Murrell We also encouraged our customers to vote for their Festival Organiser favourite beer, cider, perry and pyder of the festival. With so many types of beers, ciders, perries and Chelmsford & Mid-Essex CAMRA held their 17th pyders to choose from, it meant that we were able to winter festival at King Edward VI Grammar School offer a wide range to suit all tastes. from 17th-20th February which showcased 191 beers, 48 ciders, nine perries and five pyders. With a particular emphasis on winter brews for beer We were visited by more than 4,500 customers and cider it is not surprising that the top beers were during the four days and had our best ever Friday in the Stout/Porter category and spiced ciders attendance of 1,950 since we have been at KEGS. proved popular. In fact our best ever attendance in the 17 years that the winter festival has been organised. At the end of the four day festival, here is the list of the winners in all four categories: For the first time in a long time, and since I transferred to the branch in 2005, we had half pint tankards BEER: (Joint 1st) Green Jack’s Baltic Trader / which proved to be extremely popular. All 400 had Thornbridge’s Cocoa Wonderland sold out on the second day of the festival. Many CIDER: Delvin End’s Winter Festival (Spiced) customers complimented the great atmosphere. PERRY: Berties Cider Co’s Galanthus Perry They were pleased that we had 108 beers available PYDER: Berties Cider Co’s Con-Cox-Tion on the first day and with beers selling out on the first two days we were still able to offer 163 beers for Thank you to everyone who voted including those Friday. who decided to submit some humorous entries such as Katy Perry, Perry Groves, Incy Wincy Pyder and None of this could have happened without the help Shaun Ryder. of an army of volunteers who unselfishly gave up their own personal time to help with set-up, staffing Thank you for your votes, your comments, your the festival and take-down. I would like to thank all honesty, your good humour and, above all, for visiting those CAMRA members and a small group of non- the winter festival. We value your feedback, even the members for all of the help that they gave. silly or negative.

In terms of campaigning, we were able to announce We hope to see you again at our summer festival the vote for our branch Pub of the Year as selected which is set for Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 July at by branch members. Congratulations to The Hop Admirals Park, Chelmsford CM1 2JPL. Beer Shop for coming first, followed by the Railway Tavern in second and the Orange Tree in third. Please visit our website: www.cbcf.info and refer to We then made a presentation to Ian Reynolds of the article in this issue of Thirsty Times. Berties Cider Company for winning the Cider of the Festival at our 2015 Summer Festival with Cox-A- • Thanks to Jane Monaghan for providing the beer, Ruby-Do. cider, perry and pyder voting information.

CIDER AWARDS CAMRA designated May to be a cider month so it was fitting to present the awards for the Cider, Perry and Pyder of the Festival for Chelmsford Winter Beer & Cider Festival 2016 in May.

Pictured proudly showing their awards are Dawn Leworthy from Delvin End Cidery, Winner of Cider of the Festival and Ian Reynolds, of Berties Cider Company, with his awards for Perry and Pyder of the Festival Winter 2016. 10 Thirsty Times Summer 2016 11 ALL ABOUT ALE BLOOD, SWEAT AND BEERS: Moving a brewery is hard work!

By Chris Harvey their original home, and if they were going to Chairman of Maldon & Dengie CAMRA continue to expand the business, they needed to move. Ben Fisher of D J Fisher Farms, is the t some time in our lives, nearly all of proprietor of Joyce’s Farm and also owns the farm us have had to move house. It’s not and buildings adjacent to Southminster railway an easy task, is it? Packing everything station, off Hall Road. away, labelling boxes, arranging transportationA of everything – and on top of that, A fairly ramshackle (but historic) barn on this site there’s the worry that items of value could get was identified as the perfect building in which damaged or lost in transit. to relocate the brewery. It has taken over two years to bring the project to fruition, but after an Well, imagine all that work and stress multiplied extensive and sympathetic restoration project, several times over. That’s what moving a working the big move was finally scheduled for the Easter brewery is like – with most of it being carried out weekend. over one long weekend! An army of willing volunteers (including me!) was Wibblers Brewery was established by Phil Wilcox enlisted to help with the move, which entailed at Joyce’s Farm on the Southminster Road in stripping out all of the brewing equipment and Mayland back in 2007. They have gone from assorted paraphernalia from Joyce’s Farm strength to strength since then, becoming one of and moving it three miles along the road to the best-known breweries in East Anglia. They’ve Southminster. won many national and regional awards for their beers and ciders, and are now exporting beer to Because brewing is a process that requires most of countries such as France and Finland, to name the equipment, such as mash tuns and fermentation a few. tanks, to be installed in a logical sequence, everyone had to be given precise instructions on It was clear to Phil that Wibblers had outgrown where each piece of kit was to be placed. A giant forklift truck was used to move much of the really heavy equipment into place.

It was hard, physical work, but we were cheerfully supervised by Phil and deputy head brewer George. We were well fed throughout the four days, and there was always some good beer and cider available to quench our thirsts!

By the bank holiday Monday afternoon, everything was more or less where it should be. The restored barn looks absolutely superb, with its soaring roof and 12 Thirsty Times ALL ABOUT ALE medieval timber-framed structure. It’s now nearly a month after the move, and I’m pleased to report that brewing has started on the new site and all is going well.

Their next major project is getting the Tap Room ready; this will allow people to come and sample the fine range of Wibblers beers and ciders (and good food, too) on most days of the week.

They hope to have this ready by early summer. Being only a few minutes’ walk from the railway station, I am sure this is going to become a real attraction for locals and visitors from further afield. The night we slept in a brewery By Paul Murrell in the brewery car park as they were helping for the duration of the move. Throughout the move This is something that we did and not just a catchy beer and cider was available although only at meal title to get you to read the article. times and when we had finished for the evenings.

The Wibblers brewery moved location in We brought our camping equipment with us, tent, Southminster from Joyce’s Farm to Goldsands sleeping bags, blankets and layers of clothing to Road which is about three miles away. This took keep warm as breweries by their very nature are place over the four-day Easter holiday. cold.

They have bought a derelict barn and extensively Eventually some time after midnight, it was refurbished the building which is now the new undeniably time to go to bed and Phil very kindly brewery. let us sleep in the large office. Jane and I slept at one end while Claire and Doug slept at the other There were four of us from Chelmsford branch end. As we were in the office, we didn’t need to and we agreed to sleep over on the Saturday night use the tent, but we definitely needed the sleeping instead of going home and then returning to help bags, blankets and extra clothing. on Sunday. Although the wooden frames have been erected to The move was carried out by Wibblers employees, separate the office on the mezzanine floor from the four members from the Maldon and Dengie branch brewery, the glass had not yet been inserted into of CAMRA, in whose area the brewery is located, the window frames. and a number of friends of Phil, Abby and Jeremy. However, Phil in a jovial mood offered to close the Saturday’s evening meal had been prepared by internal ‘windows’to help keep the cold out, which Abby, as were all meals during the move weekend, we did! and this was effectively the end of the relocation activity for that day. We were up early on Sunday, around 8am and Abby provided those of us who stayed over with a After the meal helpers then started to drift off very welcome breakfast. home leaving six of us from around 9pm onwards watching various comedic music videos from You There was still a lot more work to do and we carried Tube, or just sitting around drinking and chatting on till early Sunday evening when we reached a with another couple whose caravan was already natural break and decided to return to Chelmsford.

Summer 2016 13 BREWERY NEWS

BISHOP NICK Libby Ridley tells us:

Fetch the bunting, light the Temple Barns on Saturday 16th-Sunday 17th July barbecues, we’re declaring alongside a plethora of local craft producers. Also summer officially open. And to looking forward to Braintree (9th-11th June). celebrate we have brewed a new single-hop Limited Visit www.bishopnick.com for our outlets. New Edition which we’ve stockists include The Bull (Blackmore End) and called Fete (4.5%). More The Cock (Clare). floral than a Hawaiian shirt, this ale is packed This month also sees Bishop Nick beers available with bold aromatic for the first time in selected Wetherspoons outlets flavours. Mouth-watering citrus and grapefruit notes including: The Ivory Peg (Chelmsford), The Picture pour from American Cascade hops creating this Palace (Braintree), The Port Jackson (Bishop refreshing golden nectar. Best served with good Stortford) and The Battesford Court (Witham). friends and sunshine. Available in cask and in bottle. The CAMRA award-winning Hop Beer Shop in Our Dark Mild (3.7%) which we brewed in support Moulsham Street, Chelmsford is stocking our bottles of CAMRA’s Mild Month of May is now available in and The West Street Vineyard. We’ve also started bottle. Ours is intense, dark and devilishly moreish, packaging our popular American IPA – Martyr in this smooth British Classic is dominated by Chocolate 330ml. Available online and in our shop and selected Malt. Easy on the hops but amply dry this refreshing outlets including Majestic wines. brew will keep you coming back. Our Brewery Shop is open on site to the public. Revelry Day is fast approaching (Sun June 19th). Mondays to Fridays 9am-4.30pm. We stock our A perfect family afternoon to celebrate our dads range of bottle conditioned ales and gifts including on Father’s Day. 12-4pm on site at East Street, t-shirts, branded glasses and bottle presentation Braintree. Hog Roast, Real Ale bar, English wines, packs and a range of 8pt minicasks. Ample free home-made ice-creams, children’s entertainment, parking and easy access to Braintree Freeport and free entry… Tick tick tick! See our Facebook/ the town centre. Come see us and buy your beer at website for more detail. source. Think Father’s Day!

We’ll have our brewery bar at the Chelmsford For a full product list see www.bishopnick.com Reach Summer Beer and Cider festival 5th-9th July at us on 01376 349 605 and follow us on Facebook – Admirals Park and we will be setting up stall for the BishopNickAle and Twitter – @BishopNick or sign up Essex Festival of Food and Drink again at Cressing for our newsletter at [email protected]

CROUCH VALE BREWERY Colin says:

As I am sure you will be aware, page on the Crouch Vale website: www.crouchvale. our big news is the opening of our co.uk/?page_id=1073, or on Facebook: www. new tap room here at the brewery, facebook.com/groups/893678884042883/ on March 4th. It’s a bright, clean (group) / www.facebook.com/TapRoom19/ (page), and modern environment in which or on Twitter @taproom_19. to enjoy a pint and we are also now in the process of opening Beer-wise, we are continuing to produce our normal an outdoor seating area and patio at the front of range and also various seasonal beers, despite the the building, to be hopefully enjoyed in the summer chronic shortage of US and Central European hops. months. You will be aware of Challenger and Mosaic but we also now have Citra waiting in the wings for June. Progress can be followed on the Tap Room 19 Visit: www.crouchvale.co.uk/?page_id=110 14 Thirsty Times BREWERY NEWS

BRENTWOOD BREWING COMPANY Wendy Pike reports:

You are invited to time Elephant School Brewing News travel back to 2006, to After much experimentation and innovation by Head celebrate Brentwood Brewing Brewer Ethan Kannor, the first in a funky, new range Company’s 10th anniversary at of beers from Elephant School Brewing has been the brewery’s Flashback Beer created, using some fine ingredients, thought to be Festival on Saturday 18th June rather good for you. The first one to be launched is 10.30am-5.30pm. a Passionfruit and Chia Saison called Sombrero at 4.5% ABV. It’s been getting many compliments, in The cost of a pint at the festival will revert to 2006 person and on Twitter, especially from Essex beer prices, at £2 a pint. A donation will also be going bloggers and real ale enthusiasts. to Brentwood-based charity Special Needs and Parents (SNAP). There will be at least 10 different Keep an eye out now for Sombrero and for the rest Brentwood Beers on offer including some originals of the range, which will be introduced throughout the like Big Brown Bear 4.8% ABV, Roy Rogers 3.7% year. It includes: A Porter in a Storm 4.9% ABV ABV and Volcano 4.6% ABV. A special anniversary which is a Chocolate and Cranberry Porter, and yet to ale has been created to mark the occasion. It’s called be named, a Fig and Rosemary Dubbel 8-8.5% ABV. Legacy, 4% ABV. Other Elephant School beers currently available are: On the theme of beer festivals, Brentwood Beer will • White Elephant 4% ABV – golden mild brewed be at The Beer & Burger Fest 2016 at the Orsett with coriander Showground, 11-12 June. • Aussie Blonde 4% ABV – Australian-hopped, blonde beer Another of our new brews, BFG (Brentwood • Oddsnsods 4.3% ABV – Deliciously dark mixture Festival Gold) 4.2% ABV, has been created of exotic bits and bobs. Drinks like a hoppy IPA thus especially for The Brentwood Festival 2016 which proving looks can be deceiving. runs at the Brentwood Centre July 15-17. Elephant School Brewing is the rebellious offspring Regular brewery open days are held on the first of Brentwood Brewing Company, taking its name Saturday of each month 10.30am-3.30pm and from the elephant school that was based at the army brewery tours (£10 with a free gift and a pint) are barracks in Warley, Brentwood. The British East India available. Call the brewery to book. Trading Company ran the school until 1959.

To keep up to date on all Brentwood Brewery news As elephants never forget, we make one-off beers visit www.brentwoodbrewing.co.uk and sign up for to remember. Contact us: 01277 200 483 / our monthly newsletter, The Beery News or follow us [email protected] on Twitter: @BrentwoodBrewCo Follow us on Twitter: @ElephantSchoolB

MALDON BREWING COMPANY Chris tells us:

We have some great new beers in the pipeline to hoppy, lighter version, at 3.8%. It’s Puck’s Folly with commemorate the 400 years since Shakespeare’s a twist! death. And for those who want a challenge we have Puck’s Revenge at 5.1%. Described by the brewer’s as Both new beers are based our award winning and Puck’s Folly with a kick! most popular beer, Puck’s Folly – our golden ale brewed with the We’ve already sold out of Bottoms same recipe since 2003. Up, but it is still available in bottles, from our micropub Farmers Yard in We have Puck’s Delight, a lovely Maldon... if you are quick! Summer 2016 15 BREWERY NEWS

WIBBLERS Abby writes:

Wibblers are pleased to announce that fortnightly basis over the coming months with groups we are opening our taproom and shop booking to come and see our new brewery. on Saturdays and Sundays from 4th June. After a massively successful Plans for this year’s Annual Flocculation are coming open day for the local residents of together for our Crafty and Wobbly to be made. Our Southminster, the decision was made to open 12- friends from the UK Homebrew Network and Craft 8pm Saturdays and 12-6pm Sunday while the final Brewing Association are coming down for a weekend fit out is in progress. Serving our ales direct from of camping, brewing, drinking and barbecue. No idea the cask, we will have three or four casks available currently on style, strength or name but that is part alongside Dengie Cider and Odyssey lager. of the fun of Floc.

Wibblers continue to be busy over the coming Beer news: Our next couple of specials are months with bars going up at various outside events Copperhouse and England’s 11. – Museum of Power for their Japanese Autofest Copperhouse 4.2%: A great refreshing golden ale on 12 June, Barleycorn Faye on 21 August and featuring New Zealand Motueka hops which give a Steampunk on 18 September, as well as being at light citrus and tropical fruit aroma with a delicate Chelmsford Summer Festival and events further finish. afield where we have been asked to provide our ales. England’s 11 4.3%: This is an orangey amber beer featuring spicy/marmalade notes from the Bobek Be the Brewer days are nearly fully booked until and First Gold hops on the back end matched with September, so if you fancy making your own beer a good traditional bitterness from the Boadicea used with us please get in touch. Tours are happening on a in the boil.

16 Thirsty Times BREWERY NEWS

MIGHTY OAK Gill says:

Let the sun shine! All of us here at season has begun. There’s plenty of space in our the brewery are in a buoyant mood little pub to stretch out with the Sunday papers in our and looking forward to some fun reading room, or a chat with your mates in the bar, in the sun (and quite a lot of hard or if you’re feeling brainy our monthly quiz could be work too). Over the next couple of right up your street. months you’re going to see a number of our much loved ‘old’ brews coming back to life. Celebrating 20 Whatever your taste; ales, wines, Wilde Spirit, years of brewing in Essex, Mighty Oak’s brewer has ciders, soft drinks, cheese andbiscuits, traditional bar brought back some old faves such as Simply The games, friendly conversation and buzzing weekend Best and Burntwood Bitter, which are due to make nights, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. a reappearance in Essex pubs through the summer. Laugh and the world laughs with you… coming soon The Sea Change Sailing Trust, which provides at The Mighty Oak Tap Room ‘The Goon Show’. residential opportunities for young people and Local am-dram artists are putting on a bit of a vulnerable adults to learn and develop by living and laugh-in. Later on in the summer, if it’s sleuthing you working together aboard traditional Thames Sailing prefer, we have Sherlock Holmes micro-play – bring Barges, is this year launching the first Thames Barge your deerstalker! Check out our webpage for dates: to be built since the 1930s. C Toms & Son boatyard www.micropubmaldon.uk launched this very special vessel in Falmouth in May, and Mighty Oak is honoured to continue to sponsor Real Ale in Maldon – you’re in for a treat! the trust and provided the beer for the launch It seems that Maldon pubs are on the up and up; with celebrations. two high street pubs having undergone a complete re-vamp, and at least half a dozen other real ale Mighty Oak Tap Room, Maldon pubs and restaurants, plus the two fabulous Micro The famous ‘Wall of Ale’ is bursting with amazing Pubs including our very own Tap Room, Maldon has Mighty Oak ales for you to try and buy. Take home become THE place to be for real ale and a fine time four-pint jugs are very popular now that barbecue out in Essex.

ROUND TOWER Simon says:

Summer is upon us and we’ve got mouth feel to flavour. Finally we will also be running a some lovely quaffable golden beers fined / unfined beer comparison. So there will be lots coming out over the next few months, of great beer to try and also a fantastic opportunity to so keep an eye out for them soon. see how different ingredients work together to make the final flavour of the beer. If you are going to come along to the Chelmsford & Mid-Essex Summer Beer Festival in July, then pop I’m not sure I am allowed to write this here, but along to our bar and see what we have got on offer. did anyone see the couple of experimental kegs of Slipstream that went out recently. They were well This year we will have plenty of comparisons for you received and we will be releasing more of our beer in to try. After the success last year, we will be repeating keg of the next few months. Rest assured our beer the experiment of dry hopping each cask of one beer is keg conditioned in the same way that our casks with different hops so you can see the influence the are and are unfiltered and unpasteurised so are still hop has on the final flavour. packed full of flavour.

In the same vein, we are going to have one beer We are pleased to regularly have our beer served available in several different casks, each brewed with in some of the best pubs in the area and also to a different yeast to really showcase the influence the have our bottles sold in both The Hop Beer Shop and yeast has on the whole experience of the beer from Lathcoats Farm Shop. Summer 2016 17 LAZY SUMMER AFTERNOONS Chelmsford Summer Beer & Cider Festival 2016

By Naomi Claxton

July is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing for Chelmsford – another taste explosion of beer and cider coming to Admirals Park! The Chelmsford Summer Beer and Cider Festival gives you the opportunity for five days of kicking back relaxing, meeting friends and trying your choice of over 500 different drinks being showcased across the week. will be a funfair, face painting and entertainment from a magician and children’s entertainer along with As well as real ale and real cider from across the other surprises too. nation, there will also be offerings from international breweries. Not only will there be perries, pyders There’ll be great live music every evening featuring and wines to choose from, but new for this year, Indietones, Counterfit Joy, Break for Cover and The prosecco too! Parkas, plus more.

If you need something to help soak up the drink, In association with Chelmsford Community Radio, there is a wide range of street food to tempt your we are able to offer you a chance to meet the beer taste buds. From Mexican, Caribbean, Japanese, experts with our series of afternoon talks. Running hog and beef roast, pizza, Mediterranean, Cornish Tuesday to Thursday at 2.30pm they will feature a pasties to name a few. brewers question time, an afternoon with local beer historian Siobhan McGinn. In the evenings you can The festival will be open get expert guidance from authors Melissa Cole, Jane from noon till 11pm, Peyton and brewer Sophie deRonde. Our resident Tuesday 5th to Saturday experts will guide you through a range of beer styles, 9th July. If you are hoping and inform you more on beer and brewing. Advance to try and beat the queues, tickets for tutored tastings are now available online take a tip from joint festival organiser Graham Bishop Every year we look back, listen and learn so we can who says: “Visit us on improve the festival and offer you something new. Wednesday evening when This year there will be: the festival is quieter, and try thirds instead of pints, • More food outlets increasing the food selection you get to sample a good number and you hopefully available won’t suffer so much the next day.” • More toilets. • 10 more metres of cider bar. You can also beat the queues by volunteering. More • Prosecco than 250 volunteers go in to making the festival the • Pre-sales tickets for tutored beer tastings, on sale successful community event it is and the festival now via our website now. can’t function without more coming forward, please see our website for more details. Volunteers enjoy This year local charities Kids Inspire and Essex free food, beer and cider, a souvenir polo shirt and if Respite and Care Association will be joining the you’re a seasoned festival camper, camping. festivities and raising money for their respective causes. Saturday is family fun day from noon until 6pm. There For more details, or to volunteer, visit the website www.cbcf.info or search Chelmsford beer on Twitter and Facebook.

We look forward to seeing you there! 18 Thirsty Times SOCIAL & CAMPAIGNING CALENDAR

CHELMSFORD & MID-ESSEX Chelmsford CM1 2PL BRANCH Check the website for full details: http://cbcf.info/

JUNE Wednesday 13th July. Branch Meeting at Saturday 18th June. the Queens Head Lower Anchor Street, Trip to Gibberd Farm Beer Festival Chelmsford We are running a minibus to this event departing 8pm for 8.30pm start – all members welcome. No opposite Chelmsford Station at noon. minibus to this event so please make your own way Cost £7 for members and £3 entry. Probably stop off at a CAMRA recommended pub on way home. Saturday 23rd July. Usual Chelmsford area drop-off home afterwards. East Anglia Regional POTY judging trip Free minibus, departing 10am opposite Chelmsford Sunday 19th June. Revelry Day at Bishop Nick Station. Members only and limited to16 spaces. You Brewery, Braintree Essex. will be expected to judge each of the pubs of the year Members and their families are encouraged to attend for all six counties of East Anglia on its merits as well this event, Sunday Super Saver Bus from Chelmsford as the beer they sell without prejudice. It will a long to Braintree. day but most enjoyable. Drop off home. Please book A day of revelry at Bishop Nick Brewery on early to avoid disappointment. Father’s day. Ale and English wine, brewery tours, a hog roast and family entertainment. Thursday 28th July. ‘Toast your Heavenly Father’. Noon-4pm. Bishops Stortford Beer Festival www.bishopnick.com. #revelryday.@bishopnick (Note change of date from previously advertised) Visit to this festival organised jointly with the Royal Wednesday 22nd June. British Legion and Herts & Essex Borders (HEB) Branch meeting at The Chequers Felsted CAMRA. Minibus departing opposite Chelmsford 8.30pm start. Minibus opposite Chelmsford Station station at 7.30pm. £8 for members only. Large at 7.30pm. Cost £7.50 members includes lift home. selection of rare and interesting real ales and ciders, barbecue food, rolls and sandwiches available. Friday 24th to Sunday 26th June. Chelmsford drop off home. Seventh Billericay Beer Festival at Billericay Football Club CM12 9SA Saturday 30th July. More than 50 real ales plus cider and perries, music Visit to Epping Ongar Railway – Beer Festival marquee,food and soft drinks available all sessions. Meet at Chelmsford Station 11am to arrange group Members are encouraged to attend this event. 100 save tickets to Shenfield. From Shenfield we collect bus from Chelmsford to Billericay. Check website for the vintage Routemaster bus that takes us directly more details: www.billericaybeerfestival.co.uk to North Weald Station where the festival is located. Cost is £12 for CAMRA members and will include Tuesday 28th June. transport to and from the festival and free rides on North East Essex Evening Runabout the Epping and Ongar Railway. Minibus opposite Chelmsford Station departing • See page 21 for more details. 7.30pm. Pick up and drop off for Witham available. Cost £8 for members only, visiting pubs Here is their event information page: in Bures, Lamarsh, Fordham and Henny Street. Our Annual Real Ale Festival returns this July – bigger Usual drop off afterwards. and better than before! We’ll have a great selection of 60 real ales* and 20 ciders* for you to sample, and JULY steam and diesel trains on which you can enjoy them. CAMRA members can also enjoy discounted travel Tuesday 5th July to Saturday 9th July tickets on presentation of their card. Chelmsford and Mid Essex Summer Beer and Cider Festival at Admirals Park, Rainsford Road, North Weald will be brought alive with live music, Summer 2016 19 SOCIAL CALENDAR and the bar is set to be located in our recently- Tuesday 6th September to Saturday 10th concreted engine shed, in which our Class 117 DMU September. Chappel Beer Festival is currently being restored. The DMU features on this All members encouraged to attend this year’s glass – be sure to add it to your collection! event. No minibus this year as there is a cheaper and a regular train service available. The bar is open from noon each day, and closes at Visit: www.chappelbeerfestival.org.uk/ for further 10pm on Friday 29 and Saturday 30, with an earlier details. close time of 5pm on Sunday 31. NB: Ticket only event on Friday Evening.

AUGUST Wednesday 21st September 2016. Branch Tuesday 9th to Saturday 13th August. Great Meeting at the Tulip Pub British Beer Festival at Olympia, Kensington Church Lane, Springfield Chelmsford CM17SF. 8pm The Great British Beer Festival is organised by the for 8.30pm start. No minibus to this event, members Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and offers visitors are encouraged to make own way to this venue by over 900 real ales, ciders, perries and international public transport. beers as well as fantastic entertainment, food, seating areas, and traditional pub games to enjoy all Saturday 24th September 2016. Visit to under one roof in the heart of London. See more at: Canterbury and the Food and Drink Festival www.gbbf.org.uk/#sthash.LwmQp3e5.dpuf By coach from opposite Chelmsford Station, departing at 10am. Cost £25 for members, £28 for Members are encouraged to volunteer to work as non members. well as attend this festival. Please make your own arrangements to travel to this event. Hundreds of food and drinks stalls of all types, a CAMRA bar, plus local cider farms and local Tuesday 16th August. Branch meeting at the breweries’ bars; music and entertainment and if Three Compasses West Hanningfield that’s not enough for you Canterbury has loads of Minibus Opposite Chelmsford Station departing history, pubs and a microbrewery as well boat trips at 7.45pm. Meeting starts 8.30pm. All members and a fantastic cathedral. welcome. Cost £7.50 including drop off afterwards. We will be re-visiting the pub that has been run by There is also a planned visit to the award winning Rosemary Cotton since 1971. Dartford working man’s club with its 15 hand pumps serving a fine selection of ales on the way home. Saturday 27th August. ETA for arrival back to Chelmsford is 9.45pm. Visit to Broadstairs and Ramsgate micro pubs Full day excursion by minibus from opposite OCTOBER Chelmsford Station. Departing 10am. Plan to visit the many micro pubs in the Broadstairs , Ramsgate Saturday 1st October. area also possible visit to the Beglian Café Bar on Full Day LocAle Trail Runabout Ramsgate Harbour and a possible stop in Margate Minibus from opposite Chelmsford Station departing where there are even more micro pubs. Cost £15 per 11am. Cost £10 per person. Another chance to visit person, usual drop off home afterwards. some of the more rural pubs on our LocAle Trail. We plan to visit six pubs during the day in Writtle, SEPTEMBER Blackmore, Mill Green, Ingatestone, Margaretting Tye and West Hanningfield. Usual drop off afterwards. Thursday 1st September. LocAle Trail Runabout Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th October. Minibus opposite Chelmsford Station Departing at South Woodham Ferrers Beer Festival 7.30pm. Cost £7.50 per person. Chance to visit Village hall, South Woodham Ferrers. Organised by some of the pubs on our LocAle Trail that are located Maldon and Dengie Branch of CAMRA further details in Bicknacre, Danbury and Boreham. Drop off home to follow once these are published. All members are afterwards. encouraged support and attend this event. 20 Thirsty Times SOCIAL CALENDAR

HOP ON THE BEER LINE!

he weekend of 29-31 July sees the fourth Epping Ongar Railway beer festival at North Weald station, with an T expanded range of 60 real ales and 20 ciders. All three days, heritage steam and diesel trains will amble through the Essex countryside complete with an on board bar.

In addition, classic Routemaster buses will be providing transport to and from the festival site, travelling from Epping (Underground, Central Line) for those coming from London, and Shenfield (TfL Rail & Greater Anglia) for those coming from Essex. The transport options mean there’s no need for designated drivers, so entertained by the sounds of folk music both everyone can enjoy a pint or two. nights. Later bus services and train services laid on, including the popular folk trains where the Continuing the success of their previous musicians decamp into one of the carriages. festivals, heritage trains start running at 10am each day, with the main festival bar opening By Sunday afternoon, the festival will be at noon. On Friday and Saturday evening the serenaded by the uplifting choristers of London bar will stay open until dusk, with drinkers City Voices before the event draws to a close at 5pm.

As with last year’s event, there’ll be real ales from London and Essex, with several produced specially for the occasion. A full list of both ales and ciders will be published in advance along with full details of the cuisine on offer. CAMRA members can buy discounted tickets, including bus and festival train travel, for £12.

For further information and to book tickets, take a look at See Chelmsford & Mid-Essex Branch Social and Campaigning Calender for the visit on 30th July with proposed departure by train to Shenfield at 11am.

Saturday 15th October 2016. around the same time with two changes and is Visit to Wibblers Brewery currently £9.68 per person for a return ticket). Chance to visit Wibblers new brewery in the converted 17th century tithe barn at Southminster and sample Once at brewery we will do a tour and then sample some of their fine ales and ciders. drinks in the Taproom

Meet at Chelmsford Bus Station at noon, as there is a Cost of brewery tour/visit is £10, which includes four regular bus service from Chelmsford to Southminster pints, and some nibbles. (takes approx 1 hour) day pass ticket is currently £8. (There is also train service available, which takes After our visit, we plan to visit the Station Arms in Summer 2016 21 SOCIAL CALENDAR

Southminster before returning to Chelmsford in the there are three other stations on the route which will evening, optional stop off in Maldon for those who also be holding events during the day and you can would like to visit some of their great pubs. purchase tickets for trains to these as required.

Please book your place for brewery trip so that we Check out their website for further details: can gauge numbers. www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk

Wednesday 19th October. NOVEMBER Branch meeting at the Eagle Pub Braintree 8pm for 8.30pm start. Minibus from opposite Tuesday 1st November 2016. Community Pubs Chelmsford Station departing 7.30pm. Cost £7.50 Real Ale Runabout for members only. Usual drop off home afterwards. By minibus opposite Chelmsford Station departing 7pm. Visiting pubs in Pleshey, Felsted, Fuller Street Saturday 22nd October. Visit to 6th Annual and Littley Green.Cost £7.50 per person. Usual drop CAMRA Real Ale & Cider Festival & Autumn off home afterwards. Diesel Gala. In association with West Kent CAMRA Provisionally by minibus but may be small coach NORTH WEST ESSEX BRANCH departing opposite Chelmsford Station at 11am. Cost is £15 per person, members only. Branch meeting: Monday 6th June, 8pm, Queens Head, High Street, Littlebury, Essex We have been invited to visit the Spa Valley Railway CB11 4TD. in Tunbridge Wells by West Kent CAMRA. Branch meeting and presentation: Monday One hundred real ales, green hopped beers and 4th July, 8pm, Wethersfield Village Club, Old Mill Kentish ciders. Chase, Wethersfield CM7 4EB.

The main festival takes place at Tunbridge Wells Branch meeting: Monday 1st August, 8pm, West Station and is free to enter, with most of the Bluebell Inn, High Street, Hempstead, Saffron ales and ciders on sale in the main engine shed, but Walden, Essex CB10 2PD.

MALDON & DENGIE BRANCH Date...... Time To Meet... At/To...... Event...... Travel Details...... Charge June Thur 9th.... 7.15pm...... Kings Head, Tollesbury...... Presentation...... Minibus ...... TBA 16th...... 8pm...... Swan, Little Totham...... Festival...... Own Transport 20th...... 8pm...... Huntsman Hounds, Althorne...Branch...... Own Transport 24th...... 8pm...... Hurdlemakers Arms...... Beer Festival...... Own Transport

July TBA...... Eve...... Colchester Town...... Walk...... Minibus? Sat 16th... 11AM...... 3 Dengie Pubs...... Walk...... Own Transport 5th-9th...... Own choice...... Chelmsford...... Beer Festival...... Own Transport

August TBA...... Day...... Felstar Brewery...... Tour...... Own Transport...... TBA TBA...... Eve?...... Baddow/WoodhamWalter...... Walk/Bus Tour?. Minibus? TBA...... TBA?...... Hurdlemakers Arms...... BBQ...... Own Transport 18-21st .... Weekend...... Ipswich...... Barge Trip...... Pudge!

Contact: Social Secretary Richard Atkinson 07762 414309 / [email protected] 22 Thirsty Times EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY

29 – 31 JULY 2016

Bar from 1200, closing at 2200 Fri/Sat and 1700 Sun

REAL ALE EOR Travel discounts for card carrying FESTIVAL 2016 CAMRA members.

BEER • STEAM TRAINS • MUSIC • GOOD CHEER 60 Real Ales 20 Ciders Inclusive Heritage Buses from eorailway.co.uk 01277 365 200 @eorailway Epping Ongar Railway *while stocks last.

Summer 2016 23 CIDER PRESS

By Claire Irons

CIDER PUB of the YEAR (CPOTY) COMPETITION Thank you to all the judges, who I affectionately call my cider circuiteers, for their scores and comments so I can feed back to the publicans accordingly.

Judging Criteria Quality of Cider/Perry Promotion/Knowledge of the Product Atmosphere/Style/Decor Service/Welcome Pictured are Alice, Pete and Gill from The Three Community Focus Elms with this year’s Cider POTY awards to Sympathy with CAMRA Aims match their 2015 success. Overall Value

BRANCH CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR Chelmsford and Mid-Essex branch Cider Pub of the Year 2016 is The Three Elms with The Compasses being judged Runner Up in the competition. The finalists alphabetically were: The Ale House, Chelmsford; The Compasses, Littley Green; The King William IV, Braintree; The Square & Compasses, Fuller St; The Three Elms, Chignal St James

ESSEX CIDER PUB OF THE YEAR Unfortunately the nomination from the North-West Essex branch, The King’s Head at Ridgewell, closed indefinitely a few days before we set out on the judging journey. The winning pubs from the branch Pictured are Joss and Linda Ridley with members round went on to be judged in the county round, by of their team and happy customers outside the members from different branches hence the listing Compasses being presented with their Branch with the nominating branch next to it. Cider POTY Runners Up Award by Claire Irons The finalists alphabetically were: • The Carpenter’s Arms, (The Carps) Maldon nominated by Maldon & Dengie Branch • The Odd One Out, (The Oddie) Colchester from Colchester and North-East Essex • The Three Elms, (The Elms), Chignal St James, Chelmsford & Mid-Essex • The White Hart, Weeley, Tendring branch • The Woodbine, Waltham Abbey of Herts & Essex borders

It was an excellent competition with The Three Elms, again coming out top with The Carpenter’s Pictured at the Carpenter’s Arms are Maldon Arms being the runner up. & Dengie Chairman, Chris Harvey; Cider Representative, Richard Atkinson; Claire Irons, As organiser of the county round of judging, the organiser of the Essex Cider Pub of the Year number of pubs increasing their range of varied competition and publicans Jules and John and interesting ciders, perries and pyders with an 24 Thirsty Times CIDER PRESS increase in local products as well as having a good Hartland, owner of Hartland’s, said: “Winning this geographical spread nationwide impresses me. has just made my day. It’s a terrific commendation Judges commented on the tasting notes provided by of our product.” John and Jules at the Carps so the competition gets more intense year by year, with pubs upping their Quality and Diversity of the Entries game all the time. Andrea Briers, CAMRA National Cider and Perry Committee Chairman, commented: “The ciders Congratulations to Pete and Gill and their team at and perries that we had to judge offered a diverse the Three Elms for doing the double again, repeating selection, not only in terms of taste and style but also last year’s success. They go through to the Regional in the varied locations where they were produced. Round with pubs from each of the six counties of These winners highlight how drinkable real perry and East Anglia for which they were runner up in 2015 to cider can be. It also demonstrates why more pubs the Railway Arms, Downham Market, Norfolk. and clubs should be offering real ciders and perries to their customers.” STOP PRESS: The winner of the Regional Cider Pub of the Year for East Anglia is the ‘Real Cider’ is a term used to describe traditional cider Railway Arms, Downham Market, Norfolk ,with made from freshly pressed apples. Served still rather The Three Elms, Chignal St James coming than force carbonated, real cider is unpasteurised a close second and The Mermaid, St Albans, during production and unfiltered to produce a truly Hertfordshire in third place. natural and delicious alcoholic drink. As cider is made from apples, perry is made from pears. NATIONAL CIDER & PERRY CHAMPIONSHIP CAMRA’s National Cider and Perry Championships As usual, I plan to order all the national championship took place at Reading Beer and Cider Festival at the winners for our summer festival. So come, try them, end of April with the judges being a specially chosen and judge for yourself! panel of experienced judges, drinks writers and CAMRA members who attended on the Friday of the SUMMER BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL CIDER BAR festival. The competition featured ciders and perries As the cider bar has been such a tremendous from across the UK, with each cider and perry judged success we shall have the whole 35 metre tent to on its individual taste, aroma, flavour, after-taste and accommodate the extended bar to minimise queuing overall appeal. The winners were judged from those while choosing from the range of 110 on sale at that had been successful in the regional rounds. once.

CIDER Special Feature: South Coast Ciders from Dorset, Gold Harding’s 3 Peace Sweet, Cambridgeshire East Sussex, Hampshire and West Sussex plus all Silver Dunkerton’s Cider, Herefordshire the National Cider and Perry Championship Winners Bronze Green Valley Cyder, Devon subject to availability.

PERRY Cider made specially for this festival by Berties Cider Gold Hartland’s Farmhouse Perry, Gloucs Co, Braintree, and named Anything Fruity by festival Silver Burnard’s Stray Perry, Norfolk volunteers. Bronze Heck’s Perry, Somerset Best of the Rest: There will be an eclectic, diverse Judges described the Cider Gold medal winner, 3 range from around the UK including Johnny Kickstart Peace Sweet by Harding’s, as possessing an aroma from the Isle of Man (limited edition) and Down, of ripe dessert apples, with a truly ‘appley’ flavour Down Cider made by Status Quo and Celtic Marches that is fresh and summery with plenty of crisp bite. Cider Company, Herefordshire plus many award winners to keep the customers satisfied. The winner of the Perry Gold medal is Hartland’s Farmhouse Perry, which judges described as The cider bar is re-stocked all week including having a sherry, raisin and fruitcake aroma, being a Saturday 9th July, so come and tantalise your taste refreshing drink with lingering sweetness. Dereck buds. Summer 2016 25 ESSEX CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR WINNER

The Compasses Great Totham (Maldon & Dengie)

By Doug Irons, Collator of Essex Pub of the Year Judging

SECOND: The Alma, Harwich THIRD: The Victoria, Colchester FOURTH: The Hop (Tendring) (Colchester & North East Essex) Beer Shop Chelmsford (Chelmsford & Mid Essex) FIFTH: Fox & Hounds, Steeple SIXTH: Theobald Arms, SEVENTH: Mayflower, Bumpstead (NW Essex) / Grays (SW Essex) / Old Leigh (SE Essex) CHELMSFORD & MID-ESSEX BEER PUB OF THE YEAR PRESENTATIONS

WINNER: The Hop Beer Shop, Chelmsford Photo by Matt Chinnery RUNNER UP: The Railway Tavern, Chelmsford

County pubs For Regional Pub Of The Year Bedfordshire Black Lion, Leighton Buzzard Cambridgeshire Falcon, Huntingdon. Essex Compasses, Great Totham. Hertfordshire Half Moon, Hitchin. HIGHLY COMMENDED: Norfolk Fat Cat Tap, Norwich The Orange Tree, Chelmsford Suffolk Stanford Arms, Lowestoft 26 Thirsty Times TWO GOOD REASONS TO VISIT BILLERICAY

Summer 2016 27 LOCALE TRAIL LAUNCH

By Claire Irons (for the Pub Campaigns Team) Recommended Pub Plaques All the pubs featured in our recommended guide CAMRA LocAle is an accreditation scheme to have been issued with a plaque the publicans are promote pubs selling locally-brewed real ale. Pick up proud to display and a supply of the guides and

Ap ESSEX BREWERIES Chelmsford & Mid-Essex LocAle stickers. More stickers will be distributed as required p your copy of the roxi mately h in ou alf of the r branch brewer S area pu ies in Es ome onl bs but o sex hav th y supply thers m e their b their ow ay featu eer PRIZES F Pubn brew Guidere as gu p e at the Chelmsford Beer and Cider during the course of the LocAle Trail campaign – 5 Brewer ub/fes st ale OR LOCALE TRA y Loca tivals. CH s. Billericay EERS ! A For scoring beer on Billericay Guaranteed IL 2016 Bishop Nic tion choice of Pub of Whatpub th th th k Br Festiv Y .com for all 47 pubs and voting for your Brentw al 2017 glasse,ar you get a Chelmsfor ood Festival in Admirals to win a vouc Park, Chelmsford 5 -9 July. July until 30 November 2016. Br aintr 4x ½ pint tok d Winter Beer & Cider LOCALE Brightlingsea ee b her for a minipin ens for beer/cider + entr The follo TRAIL R Brightlin eer + a wing rules ar ULES Broxbour entwood Tour of (18 pints) of your c participating pubeli cbainndsi nagn do ne nthtre or ne B For scoring the b eNeert haesr gper y for a dr 1) Colc Writtle ate brew hoice of Mighty Oaakw Enjoy campaigning by dri hester gsea tr ery incl ganiser, W ansport for the Nether uding t 2) Y nking a range of real ale, ants. Dever A but not voting for Praunbs opfo trhe ou are encoura ell’ rest of the prize is the same as t, tour a of pubs for the Gogoed Btoe escr oGruei dthee. beers on Wha s Little gate Br nd beer. cider or perr Dominion akes Colne ewery tour will not be included but the LocAle Pub Guide booklet y in our pubs Mor C Drinking a pint / half in all 47 pubs but not scoring the beersY :ear tpub.com Esse Thurroc A. 3) See back pa to help in the selection x Norton Mandevkille optional fes The organiser’ ges of the Recommended Felstar eton Nether tival glass + 3x ½ tok 4 ) s decision is final Felsted gate Br The organiser reser Geor ewer ens + entr ves the right to substitute prizes ,if considered necessar ge’s The LocAleD Collect ing sticTraily Tour (ther y for dr 5) Pub stickers must be issued between 5th July and Gr is incorporated in the See how many pubs you find which have e are 12 tic aw for inc Hart of Stebbing Br kers from any 30 pubs entr k lusive ewery ets for the tour). Steebabti ng Tour and 6) Pub stickers must not be issued before 5th July or after 30th November 2016 Harwic Wakering E Collecting stic Tastings w y into a dr midnight 30th November y2016 h Town orth £20. + aw for Br Hope Harwic b kers from 20 of the 24 pubsA s Perlilzineg r 7) Completed forms must be received by last post Stanfor y a green letter C entr . entwood Maldon ales/ciders. Please state pr 8) One sticker to be issued for each half or pint of real ale, guide Maldon h as a foldouty into a dr entry form featuring the complete set of plaques since we started aw for a selection oefa lE csisdeer denoted 9) Pub stickers must ma Wednesday 7th December 2016 Mersea Island d-le-Hope F Nelion Ridley offering Bishope fNeircr ed choice 10) tch the corresponding number and position on the entr Mighty Oak East Mersea G V . x Only 1 winner per dra cider or perr arious Maldon Brewer other R k tokens 11) Entries must be on thew o faficial entr y Moody Goose eal Ale t the discreti y; £20 voucher fporri zBeisll einricay brewer photo copied entries will not be accepteodn of the organiser Mr Majolica Br use in the shop; Bottles of beer cfrluodme vCarious Essex breweries; y form 47 pubs in our branchlothing area wherey form ho you the annual Chelmsford & Mid-Essex branch fr Gr aintr T om Colc 12) Winning entries will be dra wever incomplete, Nethergate ee rail pens with bottle opener and some surpyri stoeus!r & tasthinegs toer for Pentlo 13) Dra defaced, Railw ays w winners will be notifiewd nin b tyi m31e stto J caonllueacrt their prizes and vouchers fr doamm tahgee d or ay Ta membership stand a y 2017 Red Fox vern Brightlingsea w CA School, t Chelmsford Coggeshall MRA Broomfield Rd, Round CR 14) Winter Beer F should beCa ableITE to enjoy Dra a Cgreathelms estival, pint Recommended Pub Guide in 2009. This year Tower tegor R w winners must sta ford CM1 3SX between 15th -18th F Saffr Chelmsfor y I A M FarOk out of 10 ambiguity King Edward on Henham Quality Real R JUD te which dra VI Grammar Shalfor GING ...... w... .t.h..e..y.. .w..i.s..h.. .t.o.. .b..e.. .e.n..t.e..r..e.d.. .i.n..t.o..,....e..b..r.u..a..r...... d Shalfor d Atmospher Ale/Cider PUB 15) Your da y 2017 F X2 S promotiotan wofi lfl ubteu rhee bldra inc lhin aec wtivitihti ethse. Da Silks Br e/Style /Decor actor Score in case of an ewery Service/W can unsubscribe by email y Sticklegs of Sible He ddinghbeeram brewedelcome in X1 Essex. The ta Protectrailtion is there are gold plaques for our Pub of the Year, Elmstead Mark Community Focus You may be contaAcctte fdo r this competition and Wibblers 16) Send completed entr Southminster LocALE from time to time and Witham Sympath X1 y forms to: Coggeshall y with CAMRA 2 C Plaire Irons, et Overall Aims X1 Writtle Rd Publicity Officer CME CAMRA Value Trail Competition divided Tointotal Scor sections X1 with the Chelemrtswfoe red MCMew1s 3BprizesL the Hop Beer Shop in Chelmsford and our Cider es X1 17) Email your comments to [email protected] and check Comments www .chelmsford.camra.org.uk 18) V otes for Pub of the for an Mid-Essex CAMRA brYaenacrh c arne ba.e for an y LocAle Pub Name: Trail announcements allocated according to how These will still bemuch accepted until 31st Jayn uofa rthe 160 or so effort Pub of the Year, the Three Elms at Chignal St F to [email protected] or details see www pubs in the Chelmsford & Tel. No.: and .chelmsford.camra.org.uk Thirsty y 2017 and may be submitted by email ha Times for details. or handed in a Email: ve attended a participants make for campaigning.t a branch me FeRtinEgE beer if it is thte af ibrsrta nticmhe m yoeue ting see ourAll website James. The runners up in these competitions Thank You to those Address: donate d prize be & Mid-Essex CAMsR Afo brr tahnecwhe LrioecsA wleh Ticrhail Ch30elmsfor dEssexCAMRA Me mbebreweriesrship No are listed so try as have silver plaques namely the Railway Tavern, Post to: . (if a member) Claire Irons, LocALE Publicity Officer CME CAMRA 2 P Trail Competition ertwee Mews, many of their Writtle Rd,brews as you can at the Chelmsford and the Compasses, Littley Green Chelmsford CM1 3BL 5th July - 30th Nove festival as some smallS ubmbreweriesit the whole only respectively. All the others have green plaques as entry form by 30th Novembe r C AMRA L mber 2016. sc ocAle i heme t s an ac make enough for their local pub and o prom credita featured on the pub guide and LocAle trail. loc ote pu tion ally-bre bs tha wed re t sell occasional festivals. al ale. Vote for Chelmsford & Mid-Essex Campaign by trying a range of real ale, Branch Pub of the Year cider or perry in different pubs Vote for your choice of Pub of the Year from the You can campaign by collecting a sticker for 160 or so in our branch area as listed on our website drinking a half or a pint of real ale, cider or perry in www.chelmsford.camra.org.uk. There is space the LocAle pubs and scoring the beer you drink on allocated on the LocAle Trail entry form for your vote whatpub.com. The forms have space to note what or email to [email protected] you drink and when for each pub. Come to a branch meeting and make new friends. Campaign by Scoring the Beer on Free beer when you attend your first branch meeting! Whatpub.com to aid selection of pubs for the Good Beer Guide Although the LocAle Trail entry forms must be CAMRA members can score the quality of beer on submitted by 7th December 2016 with winning a scale of 0-5 on Whatpub.com throughout the year entries drawn by 31st January 2017, Pub of the Year for each pub they visit. Details of how to score are in votes will be accepted until 31st January 2017. the LocAle Pub Guide. PRIZES: Beer, brewery trips, vouchers, If you are not a member, why not join Europe’s most clothing, souvenir glass, trail pen with successful consumer organisation? A membership bottle opener and surprises! form is in Thirsty Times, our LocAle Pub Guide or Thank you to the Essex breweries, which have you can join online by visiting camra.org.uk provided prizes for the competition.

If you join at the summer festival, you get many extra For cider drinkers there are bottles of cider and benefits including free entry to beer festivals and a tokens for cider at the Chelmsford Winter Beer & voucher for a free branch trip. Cider Festival, King Edward VI Grammar School, Broomfield Rd, Chelmsford CM1 3SX, 15th-19th This data will be used for the selection of pubs to February 2017. feature in the Good Beer Guide. Of the 160 or so pubs in our branch area, only 17 can go in the Good Full details of the competition and prizes are on the Beer Guide but you will be providing evidence of LocAle Trail form and our website: pubs that sell good quality real ale. www.chelmsford.camra.org.uk 28 Thirsty Times Summer 2016 29 CAMRA REVITALISATION PROJECT

Shaping the future In addition to consulting CAMRA members, the project invites wider participation from interested By Claire Irons people in the beer and pub industries as well as Publicity Officer politicians and opinion formers, among others. Chelmsford & Mid-Essex CAMRA STAGE 2: The development and presentation of CAMRA has launched a review of CAMRA’s purpose, a formal proposal for consideration by members focus and strategy called CAMRA’s Revitalisation at the Members’ Weekend and AGM to be held in Project so all members have been contacted by Bournemouth 7-9 April 2017. post with a 16 page booklet to explain the history of CAMRA, what has been achieved so far and to STAGE 3: The implementation of whatever is consult all members regarding their opinion as to decided by the end of 2018. what is the way forward.

STAGE 1: CONSULTATION CONSULTATION MEETINGS Many members will have responded to the initial online or paper survey by 30th April. PETERBOROUGH NORWICH 18 June, 3 September, For more information and to respond to the 1.30-3.30pm 1.30-3.30pm consultation, which runs until September 2016, Oakham Brewery Tap The Forum visit www.camra.org.uk/revitalisation where you can 80 Westgate Millennium Plain book to attend the consultation meetings in East Peterborough Norwich Anglia. PE1 2AA NR2 1TF

30 Thirsty Times VOLUNTEERING Have you ever wondered why anyone gets involved in CAMRA? People volunteer for various reasons, some more unlikely than others. Here is the story, in her own words, of one prominent volunteer. ot long after I moved to England my have made many good friends as well. partner, a keen drinker of real ale, suggested that we visit a local beer Not everyone can give as much time as I do. Most festival. volunteers work mainly at branch level and do N what they can locally, dependent on the jobs and ‘Coming from Shetland, where there was (and other commitments they have, and the campaign still is), very little real ale I had not come across could not run without them. It has been said by a CAMRA, but that visit to the beer festival lot of them that they too gained useful experience introduced me to an organisation that was to and made new friends. become a large part of my life. I’m sure that if you are able to help in a small way, At the time I wasn’t a beer drinker so, as my normal either by delivering a few magazines or keeping drink in pubs was keg cider, it was suggested I them up to date on news from pubs in your visit the cider and perry bar. This was the moment area, they would be very grateful for your when I discovered real cider and perry, a drink that help. tastes of apples (or pears) and wasn’t cold or fizzy. Unfortunately, at the time, finding these products Andrea Briers, East Anglia Regional Director in pubs was very difficult so I joined CAMRA to and Chair of CAMRA’s Cider and Perry find out about beer festivals which sold cider and Committee ’ get information on which pubs sold real cider.

It took a few years but in the late 90s I attended one of my local branch socials and started to attend branch meetings. This led to me taking on the role of branch press officer and, while I had tried some beers, I still wasn’t keen but I felt that, as press officer, I should start to learn a little more about real ale. Again, this was a revelation. I started to learn which beers I preferred and, when no real cider was available, instead of the keg cider I was now drinking real ale. Other branch roles followed and a few years later I started taking on regional and national posts, eventually becoming the regional director eight years ago.

My interest in cider also developed further over this period and I wanted to make it easier to find the real drink in pubs around the country. I joined the National Cider and Perry Committee and having been secretary to the committee for a few years I then took over as Chair, a position I still hold. Although these roles take up a lot of my time I still enjoy doing them.

I have found volunteering for CAMRA to be a very good hobby which has led to me appreciate real ale and cider and has given me a lot of experience which has been useful in all aspects of my life. I Summer 2016 31 CROUCH VALLEY RAIL ALE TRAIL

By Chris Harvey Room, where we gave them a thunderous round of applause for achieving this feat only 15 months after To celebrate the opening of several exciting new taking over the pub. tap rooms and micropubs in the Crouch Valley and the Dengie this year, Maldon & Dengie CAMRA An hour later, it was time to move on – the next members took part in the inaugural running of the train rattled through North Fambridge and Althorne Crouch Valley Rail Ale Trail on Saturday 21st May. stations, to reach our next stop – Burnham-on- Crouch. Most of the group took the opportunity for More than 30 of us converged on Battlesbridge a bit of a walk down Burnham’s High Street to the station at noon, to make the short walk to the Queen’s Head in Providence, although some opted Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, where the newest to try out the New Welcome Sailor first. micropub in the area is to be found.

Tucked away in the Muggeridge Farm parade of antique shops is One Green Bottle. This attractively-decorated and well-furnished micropub has something of a continental flavour to it. Up to four beers are served straight from the cask, brought in from a climate conditioned tap room.

The weather was kind enough for our group to make good use of the pleasant outside drinking area with comfortable furniture. The range of beers was excellent and included some rarely seen in Essex, such as Atomic Ales’ First Lightning (from Rugby). The Queens Head is a popular, traditional Gray’s We were somewhat reluctant to leave, but we had pub tucked away in a narrow side street just off the other places to explore, so we made our way back High Street, is recognised for the quality of its beers. to the station, catching an eastbound train for South Regularly changing guests often include dark ales. Woodham Ferrers. My particular favourite on offer during our visit was Earl Soham’s Sir Roger’s Porter. A few minutes later, we disembarked and walked through the side streets of the town to Crouch Vale’s After some excellent ales, we trekked back to the Tap Room 19. The welcoming manager, Ken, had station for the last leg of our intrepid train journey. opened early especially for us. The venue is bright, functional and well-furnished, with high- level seating to make it easy to converse with those who are standing. A good range of Crouch Vale beers was served straight from the cask, including the superb Amarillo.

Alex Chambers from the Compasses in Great Totham had joined us for the day, and that morning we had heard the fantastic news that it had just been voted CAMRA’s Essex Pub of the Year. His partner, Hayley, joined us at the Tap 32 Thirsty Times We headed north to Southminster, where we disembarked and made the short walk to Wibblers’ new Brewery Tap off Hall Road.

This will not officially open for another couple of weeks (and then only at weekends in the beginning), but Phil and Abby very kindly opened the brewery’s doors and welcomed us in. Everyone was really impressed with the new brewery site and the beers and cider flowed. They really spoilt us (pictured), as they had Crafty Stoat on tap for us!

Before we knew it, was time for the last leg – the short walk along Station Road to the celebrated Station Arms. This classic, friendly weatherboarded pub has been in every edition of the Good Beer Guide for the past 25 years (and counting). The bare-boarded single bar is decorated with railway and brewery memorabilia.

The barbecue was already well lit and it wasn’t long before master chef Robert Longley was cooking up a storm. Everyone enjoyed the range of food, beers and ciders on offer; the Colchester Brewery Mild was in fine form.

It stayed warm enough throughout the evening for most of the group to sit outside in the attractive courtyard, while others retired into the bar to enjoy the great blues music being played by Martin McNeill and West Weston.

The day was a great success, with everyone evidently enjoying the scenic train ride, the variety of venues visited and the excellent selection of beers we found. I think the Rail Ale Trail could become an annual tradition!

Summer 2016 33 ESSEX BUSINESS SALES A PERSONAL APPROACH TO SELLING YOUR BUSINESS IN ESSEX 01245 835088

EBS EBS Confidential Confidential Sale Sale

LeaseholdLEASEHOLD BarPROPERTY Venue, IN ChelmsfordBRENTWOOD LeaseholdLEASEHOLD European PROPERTY Restaurant, IN BRENTWOOD Brentwood £120000 £100,000£120000 £87,500 www.essexbusinesssales.co.uk | [email protected]

A single-hop ale brewed with Cascade. Limited edition available in cask and bottle.

Hop to it 01376 349 605 BishopNick.com

34 Thirsty Times OBITUARY: MYRNA DAY 4th July 1957 – 13th March 2016 Myrna Day died unexpectedly on Sunday 13th but she said: “It’s okay I’ll be able to see my March. She worked at the entrance and exit granddaughter grow up so never mind.”. I will on glasses at our summer and winter beer and always remember Myrna saying “never mind” cider festivals. When I was staffing manager and when I’m having a bad day when nothing for the summer festivals she would bring all the is going right I just think of Myrna and how she food for the staff during set up, and the party had just lost her leg and how she said never on the Saturday night before take down. Myrna mind and it just makes me think at least I haven’t would also bring in food for the volunteer staff lost my leg. Her foot was amputated in the October breakfasts at the summer festival. As well as being of 2012 and to my surprise she managed to walk a member of our branch, she was a good friend to towards me at our Winter Beer & Cider Festival in many people including my wife and myself. February 2013.

The volunteers who worked on glasses at our Quite a few of our branch members used to stay festival were normally recruited by Myrna as she at Myrna’s cottage in Norfolk and Myrna will be managed to persuade her friends and even her remembered as a kind, generous and cheerful family from Wales would help out. person.

In 2012 Myrna had a very bad illness and spent most Myrna was always very helpful and was a very brave of the year in hospital. While in hospital Myrna’s left lady who will be missed at our festivals and by foot became very badly infected and she had to branch members. On behalf of the Chelmsford and have her lower leg amputated. I will always recall Mid-Essex branch we send our sympathy to Pete, visiting Myrna at Addenbrookes Hospital before Sarah and all of Myrna’s family. she had the operation and she was at death’s door. However two days later Myrna phoned me Doug Irons to tell me she had just had her left leg amputated Chairman Chelmsford & Mid-Essex Branch BILLERICAY BREWING CO. SUMMER BEER FESTIVAL THURS 30TH JUNE - SUN 3RD JULY FREE 20+ REAL ALES AND CIDERS ENTRY BY BILLERICAY BREWING & OTHER ESSEX BREWERIES VENUE: 52 CHAPEL STREET, BILLERICAY, ESSEX, CM12 9LS. FESTIVAL OPENING TIMES: THURS 30TH - 11AM - 10.30PM FRI 1ST - 11AM - 10.30PM SAT 2ND - 11AM - 10.30PM SUN 3RD - 11AM - 7PM WWW.BILLERICAYBREWING.CO.UK 01277 500121 / 07788 373129 Summer 2016 35 36 Thirsty Times ALL CHANGE AT QUEEN’S HEAD New hands to the pumps of Burnham-on-Crouch pub On November 17, 2015 I handed over the keys of the as keen as mustard to take the pub on, I decided to Queen’s Head, Burnham on Crouch, to new tenants. retire a little early. I had been the tenant for nine years, running things with the help of my son Andrew. As the pub is a Gray’s tenancy, Diane and Martin had to apply in the normal way and beat any competition Early in 2015 Andrew decided for the business. I was delighted to pursue a different career, when the decision went in their so I looked for someone else favour. Diane has been running to manage the pub. Luckily things now for six months and I found the ideal person in the pub is doing very well, dare Diane Pooley who, along I say better? with her husband Martin had become regulars at the Diane Pooley, Due to the anomalies of the Maldon & Dengie Good pub. Diane had considerable new landlady at the Beer Guide voting system the pub will unfortunately previous experience in the Queen’s Head not appear in the 2017 version of the guide. Do not trade and was keen for a new let this put you off. The beer quality/choice is as challenge. good as ever and better than most. In my view it stands every chance of being reinstated in the guide Diane started in March and I immediately knew that next year. I had made the right choice. During the next few months Diane worked tirelessly to learn the workings Jim Morton, Ex-Landlord, of the pub, especially the routines for ensuring the Queen’s Head, Burnham-on-Crouch quality of the real ales, and it became apparent to me that when the time came she would be the ideal person to take over the reins.

As I was approaching my 65th birthday and Diane was

CAMRA POINTS OF INFORMATION From the Model Branch Constitution of the Internal Policy Document of the Campaign for Real Ale 3.4 Any member of CAMRA living within the geographical area of the Branch is allocated to that Branch. Any other member of CAMRA may apply to become a member subject to the approval of the Branch Committee who may refuse membership without assigning any reason.

3.6 Any member of CAMRA Ltd may attend an open branch meeting of any branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. However only members of the Chelmsford & Mid-Essex branch of CAMRA are allowed to vote for the Branch Pub of the Year.

Summer 2016 37 38 Thirsty Times BRANCH CONTACTS THIRSTY TIMES Chairman Doug Irons Thirsty Times is published by the Chelmsford & Mid- [email protected] Essex Branch of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale incorporating items from our local neighbouring Secretary Stuart Forbes branches. It is brought to you quarterly by unpaid [email protected] volunteers with 6,000 copies distributed free to pubs and festivals across Essex. It is also available to read Treasurer Paul Murrell online at : www.chelmsford.camra.org.uk [email protected] 01245 290409 / 07762 514018 Please email letters, news, views and articles for possible publication to Tony Vernon, editor of Thirsty Publicity Claire Irons Times and to Claire Irons, Publicity Officer Chelmsford [email protected] & Mid-Essex CAMRA. Thank you to all contributors 01245 290710 / 07773 093399 and Mansion House Publishing. The editor reserves the right to edit articles if required with the full article Social Secretary Martin Joy appearing on the CME branch website. [email protected] Views or comments expressed in Thirsty Times are Membership Secretary Ian Holbrook not necessarily those of the Editor, CAMRA Ltd or the [email protected] Chelmsford & Mid-Essex (CME), Maldon & Dengie (MAD) or Northwest Essex (NWE) branches of the Campaign for Real Ale. Cider Rep. Claire Irons [email protected] Advertising To advertise in Thirsty Times, contact: Editor Tony Vernon Sue Stone [email protected] Tel: 01473 400810 01245 607000 / 07768 662161 Email: [email protected]

Essex Brewery News Martin Joy Printed by Colourplan Print, [email protected] 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 4JP Tel: 01473 400379 Chelmsford & mid-Essex Pub News Email: [email protected] Bryan Grimshaw [email protected] ADVERTISING RATES Pub Campaigns Coordinators Rates per issue (excluding VAT) Gordon Fish & David Siedlaczek [email protected] 1/8 page...... £50 1/4 page...... £70 Essex County Council Trading Standards 1/2 page...... £120 08454 040506 Full page...... £210

Publication date for the Autumn 2016 issue FREE ADVERT UPGRADE (19) is 7th September. To volunteer to distribute Book & pay for the adverts in four Thirsty Times or if you have run out of stock by consecutive issues of Thirsty Times and 16th September please contact the relevant we will double the size of the first advert branch distributor: TOTALLY FREE! Includes free artwork design CME: Derek Beaumont 01245 264128 / [email protected] DEADLINE MAD: Chris Harvey 07743 675622 / Autumn 2016 issue: [email protected] WEDNESDAY NWE: Chris Rouse 07824 726108 / [email protected] 24th AUGUST Summer 2016 39